Ships and Engines - Revision history

Mike: /* Chemical Reaction Drives */

2026-07-26T22:23:36Z

Chemical Reaction Drives

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:23, 26 July 2026
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	Chemical reaction drives work much like modern rockets. A fuel is mixed with an oxidizer, ignited, and expelled at high speed through a nozzle to create thrust.		Chemical reaction drives work much like modern rockets. A fuel is mixed with an oxidizer, ignited, and expelled at high speed through a nozzle to create thrust.

	The efficiency of a rocket fuel is measured by its '''~~Specific~~ Impulse''' (usually abbreviated '''Isp'''). Higher Isp means more thrust for a given amount of propellant.		The efficiency of a rocket fuel is measured by its '''Impulse(specific)''' (usually abbreviated '''Isp'''). Higher Isp means more thrust for a given amount of propellant.

	By 2158, three fuel combinations dominate:		By 2158, three fuel combinations dominate:

Mike: /* Space Travel */

2026-07-26T22:21:34Z

Space Travel

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:21, 26 July 2026
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	A major adventure is likely to involve several different spacecraft rather than one beloved tramp trader. Think James Bond more than Firefly. Or, lacking a mission, think of the wanderer: Kung Fu, Reacher, or the cowboy who rides into town.		A major adventure is likely to involve several different spacecraft rather than one beloved tramp trader. Think James Bond more than Firefly. Or, lacking a mission, think of the wanderer: Kung Fu, Reacher, or the cowboy who rides into town.

	For a while, "home" will be the party, not a ship. ~~Think~~ Mission: Impossible. If the players eventually obtain a Deep Space Vehicle (DSV), that will indeed change things—but such vessels are rare, expensive, and difficult to acquire.		For a while, "home" will be the party, not a ship. The Mission: Impossible team comes to mind. If the players eventually obtain a Deep Space Vehicle (DSV), that will indeed change things—but such vessels are rare, expensive, and difficult to acquire.

	== Spacecraft by Function ==		== Spacecraft by Function ==

Mike: /* Space Travel */

2026-07-26T22:20:46Z

Space Travel

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:20, 26 July 2026
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	= Space Travel =		= Space Travel =

	Forget about Jump Drives~~. In-System is~~ a ~~Solar System~~ setting. Spacecraft are specialized, with most designed around one or two specific jobs. A vehicle that is excellent at launching from Earth is usually a poor choice for crossing the Solar System, and vice versa.		Forget about Jump Drives in a solar system setting. Spacecraft are specialized, with most designed around one or two specific jobs. A vehicle that is excellent at launching from Earth is usually a poor choice for crossing the Solar System, and vice versa.

	A major adventure is likely to involve several different spacecraft rather than one beloved tramp trader. Think James Bond more than Firefly. Or, lacking a mission, think of the wanderer: Kung Fu, Reacher, or the cowboy who rides into town.		A major adventure is likely to involve several different spacecraft rather than one beloved tramp trader. Think James Bond more than Firefly. Or, lacking a mission, think of the wanderer: Kung Fu, Reacher, or the cowboy who rides into town.

Mike: /* Space Travel */

2026-07-26T19:55:26Z

Space Travel

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:55, 26 July 2026
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	= Space Travel =		= Space Travel =

	Forget about Jump Drives. ''In-System'' is a Solar System setting. Spacecraft are specialized, with most designed around one or two specific jobs. A vehicle that is excellent at launching from Earth is usually a poor choice for crossing the Solar System, and vice versa. A major adventure is likely to involve several different spacecraft rather than one beloved tramp trader. Think James Bond > Firefly. Or, lacking a mission, ~~there is always~~ the wanderer: Kung Fu, Reacher, the ~~Cowboy~~ who rides into town. For a while ~~anyway~~, "~~Home~~" will be the party, not a ship. Think Mission Impossible. If the players eventually obtain a DSV, ~~yes~~ that will change ~~things~~, ~~but they are not easy~~ to ~~come by..~~.		Forget about Jump Drives. In-System is a Solar System setting. Spacecraft are specialized, with most designed around one or two specific jobs. A vehicle that is excellent at launching from Earth is usually a poor choice for crossing the Solar System, and vice versa.

			A major adventure is likely to involve several different spacecraft rather than one beloved tramp trader. Think James Bond more than Firefly. Or, lacking a mission, think of the wanderer: Kung Fu, Reacher, or the cowboy who rides into town.

			For a while, "home" will be the party, not a ship. Think Mission: Impossible. If the players eventually obtain a Deep Space Vehicle (DSV), that will indeed change things—but such vessels are rare, expensive, and difficult to acquire.

	== Spacecraft by Function ==		== Spacecraft by Function ==

Mike: /* Space Travel */

2026-07-26T19:53:03Z

Space Travel

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:53, 26 July 2026
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	= Space Travel =		= Space Travel =

	~~If you come from Traveller, forget~~ about Jump Drives. ''In-System'' is a Solar System setting. Spacecraft are specialized, with most designed around one or two specific jobs. A vehicle that is excellent at launching from Earth is usually a poor choice for crossing the Solar System, and vice versa. A major adventure is likely to involve several different spacecraft rather than one beloved tramp trader. Think James Bond > Firefly. Or, lacking a mission, there is always the wanderer: Kung Fu, Reacher, the Cowboy who rides into town. For a while anyway, "Home" will be the party, not a ship. Think Mission Impossible. If the players eventually obtain a DSV, yes that will change things, but they are not easy to come by...		Forget about Jump Drives. ''In-System'' is a Solar System setting. Spacecraft are specialized, with most designed around one or two specific jobs. A vehicle that is excellent at launching from Earth is usually a poor choice for crossing the Solar System, and vice versa. A major adventure is likely to involve several different spacecraft rather than one beloved tramp trader. Think James Bond > Firefly. Or, lacking a mission, there is always the wanderer: Kung Fu, Reacher, the Cowboy who rides into town. For a while anyway, "Home" will be the party, not a ship. Think Mission Impossible. If the players eventually obtain a DSV, yes that will change things, but they are not easy to come by...

	== Spacecraft by Function ==		== Spacecraft by Function ==

Mike at 19:52, 26 July 2026

2026-07-26T19:52:06Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:52, 26 July 2026
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	= Space Travel =		= Space Travel =

	If you come from Traveller, forget about Jump Drives. ''In-System'' is a Solar System setting. Spacecraft are specialized, with most designed around one or two specific jobs. A vehicle that is excellent at launching from Earth is usually a poor choice for crossing the Solar System, and vice versa. A ~~large~~ adventure is as likely to involve ~~an arc of vessel types~~ rather than one beloved tramp trader.		If you come from Traveller, forget about Jump Drives. ''In-System'' is a Solar System setting. Spacecraft are specialized, with most designed around one or two specific jobs. A vehicle that is excellent at launching from Earth is usually a poor choice for crossing the Solar System, and vice versa. A major adventure is likely to involve several different spacecraft rather than one beloved tramp trader. Think James Bond > Firefly. Or, lacking a mission, there is always the wanderer: Kung Fu, Reacher, the Cowboy who rides into town. For a while anyway, "Home" will be the party, not a ship. Think Mission Impossible. If the players eventually obtain a DSV, yes that will change things, but they are not easy to come by...

	== Spacecraft by Function ==		== Spacecraft by Function ==

Mike at 19:20, 26 July 2026

2026-07-26T19:20:19Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:20, 26 July 2026
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	= Space Travel =		= Space Travel =

	If you come from Traveller, forget about Jump Drives~~, Maneuver Drives and Power Plants~~. ''In-System'' is a Solar System setting. Spacecraft are specialized, with most designed around one or two specific jobs. A vehicle that is excellent at launching from Earth is usually a poor choice for crossing the Solar System, and vice versa. A large adventure is ~~more~~ likely to involve an arc of vessel types rather than one beloved tramp trader.		If you come from Traveller, forget about Jump Drives. ''In-System'' is a Solar System setting. Spacecraft are specialized, with most designed around one or two specific jobs. A vehicle that is excellent at launching from Earth is usually a poor choice for crossing the Solar System, and vice versa. A large adventure is as likely to involve an arc of vessel types rather than one beloved tramp trader.

	== Spacecraft by Function ==		== Spacecraft by Function ==

Mike at 19:17, 26 July 2026

2026-07-26T19:17:24Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:17, 26 July 2026
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	= Space Travel =		= Space Travel =

	If you come from Traveller, forget Jump Drives, Maneuver Drives and Power Plants. ''In-System'' is a Solar System setting. Spacecraft are specialized, with most designed around one or two specific jobs. A vehicle that is excellent at launching from Earth is usually a poor choice for crossing the Solar System, and vice versa. A large adventure is more likely to involve an arc of vessel types rather than one beloved tramp trader.		If you come from Traveller, forget about Jump Drives, Maneuver Drives and Power Plants. ''In-System'' is a Solar System setting. Spacecraft are specialized, with most designed around one or two specific jobs. A vehicle that is excellent at launching from Earth is usually a poor choice for crossing the Solar System, and vice versa. A large adventure is more likely to involve an arc of vessel types rather than one beloved tramp trader.

	== Spacecraft by Function ==		== Spacecraft by Function ==

Mike: /* Space Travel */

2026-07-26T19:16:16Z

Space Travel

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:16, 26 July 2026
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	= Space Travel =		= Space Travel =

	If you come from Traveller, forget Jump Drives, Maneuver Drives and Power Plants. ''In-System'' is a Solar System setting. Spacecraft are specialized, with most designed around one or two specific jobs. A vehicle that is excellent at launching from Earth is usually a poor choice for crossing the Solar System, and vice versa.		If you come from Traveller, forget Jump Drives, Maneuver Drives and Power Plants. ''In-System'' is a Solar System setting. Spacecraft are specialized, with most designed around one or two specific jobs. A vehicle that is excellent at launching from Earth is usually a poor choice for crossing the Solar System, and vice versa. A large adventure is more likely to involve an arc of vessel types rather than one beloved tramp trader.

	== Spacecraft by Function ==		== Spacecraft by Function ==

Mike: /* Deep Space Vehicles (DSVs) */

2026-07-26T19:12:31Z

Deep Space Vehicles (DSVs)

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:12, 26 July 2026
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	=== Deep Space Vehicles (DSVs) ===		=== Deep Space Vehicles (DSVs) ===

	Deep Space Vehicles are designed for journeys lasting weeks or months. They are capable of operating anywhere in the Solar System and represent the largest and most advanced civilian spacecraft of the period.		Deep Space Vehicles are designed for journeys lasting weeks or months. They are capable of operating anywhere in the Solar System and represent the largest and most advanced civilian spacecraft of the period. Unlike ion freighters, DSVs trade cargo capacity for flexibility. A DSV can alter its mission, change destinations, or respond to emergencies at almost any point during a voyage.

	Examples include the ''Hermes'' from ''The Martian'' and ''Discovery One'' from ''2001: A Space Odyssey''.		Examples include the ''Hermes'' from ''The Martian'' and ''Discovery One'' from ''2001: A Space Odyssey''.